Gerg joins title race after downhill win

Cortina D'Ampezzo - Hilde Gerg of Germany pushed herself into contention for the overall World Cup title on Saturday with her first downhill victory of the season.

Gerg, the most consistent skier on the women's circuit this season with two wins and six podium places, clocked one minute 17.57 seconds down a shortened Cortina course to consolidate third place in the standings.

Renate Goetschl, looking to follow up her victory in Friday's super-G, had to be content with second place with a time of 1:17.87 but it was enough to send her top of the overall standings by one point from Anja Paerson.

Austrian Goetschl has 789 points with slalom specialist Paerson, 24th in the downhill, on 788. Gerg, who leads the downhill standings, has 710 points.

Olympic downhill champion Carole Montillet holds on to fourth place overall after finishing third.

Gerg's victory is her first in the speed discipline since returning from a serious knee injury that sidelined her for much of last season and prompted her to consider retiring.

"After my injury the aim was to get back racing downhill again," she said. "To win seemed impossible but I've done it."